Line between low-cost and full-service carriers blurring

Mumbai/New Delhi: India’s low-cost carriers (LCCs) and full-service carriers (FSCs) are moving into each other’s flying zones as they look to survive competition made tougher by the recent economic slowdown.
LCCs such as SpiceJet Ltd, GoAir, run by Wadia Group’s Go Airlines (India) Pvt. Ltd and IndiGo, operated by InterGlobe General Aviation Pvt. Ltd have begun offering a slew of free services and discounts that were expected only from FSCs until recently.
And FSCs such as Jet Airways (India) Ltd and Kingfisher Airlines Ltd have moved two-thirds of their passenger capacities to no-frills and all-economy services—the traditional domain of LCCs.
GoAir, which opened a business class in 2008, has now has started offering complimentary drinks to passengers at the airport before they board the aircraft.
It has tied up with beverage shops at various airports, allowing passengers to get coffee or tea by simply showing a boarding pass.
SpiceJet and IndiGo are offering discounts for defence personnel between 26 January and 26 March, and free meals to corporate customers.
SpiceJet recently launched television commercials focusing on customer service features and product
The airline has also introduced supervision of unaccompanied minors, online check-in, hot beverage and combo meals available for sale, two-bag waiver for guests connecting on SpiceJet within 24 hours of international travel and waiver of additional charges on sports kits.
IndiGo has introduced a hand-held machine that issues boarding passes and check-in through automatic kiosks, besides informing passengers of their flight status through text messages on their mobiles.
Jet Airways introduced a new brand for its low-fare no-frill service, Jet Airways Konnect. Kingfisher offers similar services through Kingfisher Red. Jet Airways also has the low fare unit JetLite (India) Ltd.
04/02/10 P.R. Sanjai and Tarun Shukla/Live Mint

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Feb 2010, Low Cost General Feb 2010